Sight for firearms.



PATBNTED MAR. 12,' 1907. WINDRIDGE. `SIGHT PoR FIRBARMS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1906.

UNlTED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JAMEs wnvnninsn, or Minniinriniin, ooNN'EcriOUT, iissieNonro VTini LYMAN GUN sieur CORPORATION, or MIDDLEFIELD, ooNNnOTicUn-A CORPORATION OF CGNNECTICUT.

SIGHT FGF? FREARMS..

Patented March 1.2, 1907.

Application filed March 23, 1905. Serial No. 307,717.

T0 a/ZZ whom, it may con/cern:

y Be it known that I, JAMES WrNDnrDGn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middle'lield, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, havel invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sights for Firearms, of which the following is a specification. My invention relates to a sight for irearms of the class in which the sight is adjusted for elevation by means of a rotal nut in engagement with a rack carried on the sight-post. In suoli mechanism itis important that the adjusting-nut shall be spring-pressed lengthwise in one direction to avoid end play in its bearings and consequent inaccuracyT in the sight adjustment and also that the nut shall be held secure from accidental displacement by means of a spring-actuated detent. The small size and compact form of such sights have rendered it ditiicult to adapt a satisfactory spring to these requirements. j

My invention has for its obj ect to provide a simple and reliable spring for the purposes aforesaid that shall eifectually combine the Jfunctions of taking up the endwise motion of the adjusting and holding. the nut stationary and secure from disturbance after being set, the spring-at the same time being easily manufactured and readily assembled in place and not subject to become out of order. The

improvement is therefore broadly adapted as a nut-lock, and it consists in a novel annular spring arranged to act in an axial direction upon the nut in. combination with a detent for locking the nut and in the arrangement and construction of parts, as hereinafter more particularly described 'and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevationof a folding rear sight of the class described embodying -my improvements.

' Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3

is a front elevation, partly in central vertical cross-section, showing the construction of the hinge mechanism and detent-spring. Fig. i is a front view of the joint or folding member of the sight and its parts unhinged or detached from the base. Fig..5 is acentral vertical section through Fig. 4 on the lengthwise plane of the base. Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view ofthe detent-spring. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line X X, Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan View of the tical cross-section of Fig. 8. Fig. '10 is an sightsupporting member .or joint viewed i from its upper end. Fig. 9 is a central ver.

enlarged planview of the lower end of the y sighadjusting sleeve. Fig. `11 is an j enlarged plan view of thel j oint and its .parts viewed trom its upper end Fig.` 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the detent-spring.v

Referring to the drawings, `A designates the base of a sight of the class referred to,l

`having a sight-supporting member or part l B, carrying an adjustable sight-post D, provided with a sight d of any required design. In the mechanism shown, which is of the well-known type of rear folding sights, saidA mounting comprises a joint or folding,`

member, having an oye b iitted between a pair of corresponding ears a." on the base and hinged thereto by a suitable pivot. E, which enables the sight to be swung rearward and. down from the vertical or sighting position shown in the figures. Said pivot .is a bolt having its cylindrical head es and corresponding nut ci fitting freely' in the ears of the base and rigidly clamped agaihst the faces ofthe eye of the joint, thus forming trunnions thereon, which turn or oscillate in the ears of the base as the joint is swung on line of these bearings as a center. The head the axial v c carries a catch c3 for engaging thev base A to hold the joint B 'in the upright position and which may be securely locked by means offa locking-key c4; but all the aforesaid con.

struction is old and extraneous to the inveny tion forming the subject of `this application, and hence requires no detailedl description..`

The joint is provided with a hollow stem" F, projecting from or 4surmounting itsv cylin-k drical main part or body B. Said stem is formed with a longitudinalslot f", extend-? ing throughout its entire length and down through the cylindical part oi body B tothef hinge-eye b. Guided -within the Stem'F is the sight-post D, having a toothed rack g fittin the slot f, with its' teeth projecting outsi e Vot the circumference ofthe stem. The adjusting nut or sleeve H is internally screw-threaded and is fitted on the stern F with its threads in engagement with the teethi of the rack g of the sight-post, whereby in operation the rotation of thesleeve is adapt- A ed to actuate the sight-post upward or downward in the stem F of the'joint. 'The adj-j' justing-sleeve is held in place on the stem by means of a cap-nut or collar f,'screwed on the upper end thereof and also slotted, as shown, to pe mit the rack g to travel through it.

In the body of the joint B, at the base of theV increase of diameter at the base of the stem is not of equal height with therim i2, surrounding the socket t', being somewhat lower than the rim, as shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 9. The adjusting-sleeve H is provided with a boss or cylindrical portion i3, slightly entering said socket in the joint, and a series of radial indentations or detentmotches i4, in the present instance four in number, placed ninety degrees apart, are milled in the flat surface of said boss.

In the socket i is fitted an annular spring r ring m, of elastic material, having a radialprojection m fitting and received in the slot in the body part ofthe joint, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The spring is arched or curved flatwise by a slight bend at the diametral line, which is at right angles to the diametral plane of the radial projection 'nV-that is, the

. respective halves of the ring, as determined by adiameter at right angles to said radial projection, occupy planes which forma sligl'it angle with each other, extending upward from their meeting-point or intersection, the bend being distributed as far each side of the diameter as may .be preferred. The radial projection or detent m" is also raised or struck up 'somewhat above the plane of the contiguous portions of the ring and curved or rounded over, as shown, to insure the necessary strength and give its upper surface the proper configuration to engage and readily slide into and out from the radial detents notches i* of the adjusting sleeve. Thus constructed the detent and opposite high .point of the ring will i mpi nge against the adjusting-sleeve, while the points of the ring at inety degrees therewith will bear upon the -joint or surface at the bottom of the socket i'.

In assembling the parts of the sight the annular spring is first set in its socket with its detent m in the slotf, and the adjustingsleeve. is then fitted upon the stem F, after which the collar i is screwed upon the stem abovethe sleeve, thus forcing all the parts to place against the resilience of the spring, which is so proportioned that it will be flattened from 'lts normal shape into a state of4 tension when the adjusting-sleeve is in juxtaposition with the body part B of the joint.

- -The sight-post is then inserted @in the stem `and drawn down to place by'y screwing the ad .651

justing-sleeve upon it. In this position the .[n the present instance,

l lodged without iirst removing the sight-post.

In operation the upward thrust of the spring will hold the adjusting-sleeve in intimate Contact with the collar t, and the detent m when' engagedwith one of the notches i* will lock' the adjusting-sleeve secu-rely in position, while permitting itl to be normally turned by the exertion of su'llicient force to cam the de tent out of its seat.

The construction of the spring is such th at it may be readily struck out of sheet metal, inclusive 'of the detent, which in such case need be made no thicker than the spring itself, as it will derive su'l'licient strength from its arched or rounded cross-sectional configuration. lThe engagement of the detent with the notches of the sleeve as they pass 'over it results in a sharp clicking sound that enables the amount of rotation to be estimated by the sense of hearing, each click registering a quarter of a revolution of the adjusting-sleeve in the construction specified. The lower part of the sleeve is of con ical configuration, tapering inward from the body of the joint, and it is graduated. to indi? cate the position of the sleeve with reference to a zero-mark (o) on the rear side of the joint, as shown in Fig. 2. In the present instance the circumference of the cone is divided into twenty spaces or 'five lines per quarter or distance between the detent-notches, and the pitch of the thread of the adjustingsleeve is one-twentieth per inch. Hence each division represents an elevation of the sight of one four-hundredth of an inch, and each click of the detent-spring denotes oneeightieth of an inch, or the fourth part of the pitch of the thread.

The novel conieal'shape of the graduated portion of the adjustiiig-sleeve presents superior advantages with respect to reading and noting its lines, as its surface by being inclined from the vertical is better lighted and is ordinarily presented more squareljf to the line of vision from the natural position of The balance oil the adjustingsleeve is cylindrical, and its surface is knurled in the ordinary manner to proiide a firm hohl in operating the sleeve. The collar fis also knurled to facilitate its being screwed upon and reiroved from the stem F. The letters R and L are stamped on the hody of 'the joint, as shown, to indicate the direction in which the sleeve is to be turned. to raise or lower the sight.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentt 1. Ina sight for firearm s, the vcombination of a longitiulinally-movahle sight-post, a rotal member acting to move said post, a bearing'for said member to turn upon, a stop to limit endwise. movement of said member. and

llO

' tent engagement between the spring and the senese spring holding said rotal member against said stop.

y 2. In afsight `for firearms, the combination 'of a longitudinally-movable sight-post, a rotal nutengaging said post to move the` same longi'tudinall'y, a bearingy for the nut, a vstop tolimit vendurise movement oit the nut, at one fend thereof, and va spring'acting on thenut at itsother end and pressing it toward said stop. v v i 3. Inv asightfor iirearms, the combination of a longitudinally-movable sight-post, a rol tion.-

tal member acting to move said post, a bear- ,in'g for saidmember to turn upon, a stop to limit endwise mov'ei'nent of said member, and

. a 'spring acting to hold said rota-l member against said stop and to hold it from rota- 4.l -In a sight for'firearms, the combination of .a longitudinally-movable sight-ppst, a rotal member acting to move said post, a stop to prevent endwise movement 'of the rot-al member in one direction, and-a spring-,detent .l device to hold said member from rotation of a longitudinally-movable sight-post, a roand. exerting endwise pressure thereon.

` In a sight for irearms, the combination tal rnemberacting to move said post, a bearing for said-member to turn upon, an annu`.

lar spring'concentric with said bearing7 a dedof; a longitudinally-movable sight-post, a

support in Which the same is mounted, rackteeth on said post, a ro-tal member v'on said support engaging said rack-teeth, and a nut or colla-r screwed on the support at one end oi the rotal member, said nut being perforated for the passage ofthe vsight-post, and having a slot engaged by the rack thereon, wherebyr the nut or collar is held from rotation.

7.- The combination with a rotal adjusting member having detent-notches in ,its faces, of a standard or stationary part forming a bearing or support for said member, and an elastic' ring of iiatvvise or curved .coniguration interposed and adapted to act expansivelybetween the parts and provided with a detent for engaging the notches ot the adjusting member, and moans for preventing rotal movement of the elastic ring, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. ln a .sight for lircarins the combination with the sight-supportiug member of a sightpost movablT mounted or guided in said member, a rotal adjusting-nut journalcd on the sight-supporting member inv engagement with the sight-post, and an annular spring of flatwise curved or arched eoniiguration interposed between and exerting its tension upon the adjusting-nut and its thrust-bearing, sub stantially in pose specied.

the manner and for the pur- 9. In a sight for firearms the combination With the sight-supporting memberof a sight. post movablvv mounted or guided in said member, a rotal adjusting-nut journaled on the sight-supporting member in engagement with the sight-post, an annular spring of flatwise curved or arched configuration interposed between and exerting its tension upon the adjusting-nut and its thrust-bearing, and means for `holding the spring secure against rotation on itsseat or with reference to the .sight-supporting memben; substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

l0. ln a sight Jfor 'firearms the combination With a lsigbt-supporting member of a sightpost movably' mounted or guided in said member, a rotal adjusting-nut journaled on the sight-supporting member in screwthreadedQ engagement with the sight-post and having a. series of detent-notches in its end, Y and an annular spring of flatwise curved or arched coniiguration interposed between and exerting its .tension upon the adjusting-nut and its thrust-'bearing and having a radial projection or detent guided` in the sight-supporting member and adapted to engage the notches of the adjusting-sleeve to hold it stationary, substantially as and for the purpose specified. 11. The combination of a sight-supporting member having a guiding-Way for the reception of a sight-post and an annular seat or socket surrounding the guiding-Way, a sightpost iitting said guiding-Way, an annular spring of i'la'tWise or arched configuration received in said socket and provided With'a de- IOO tent projection, an adjusting nut or sleeve mounted on the sight-supporting member in engagement with the s ring and having a series of detent-notches or the engagement of the detent projection of the spring, means for securing the adjusting-sleeve against the thrust of the spring, and means ior holding the spring from rotating in its seat, substantiallyr as and for the purpose specified.

, 12; The combi ation of a sight-supporting member having a guiding-Way for the recep- Y tion of a sight and an annular seat or socket surroun din he guiriing-w ay, and having a slot extending 'from the socket, a sightpost litting the guiding-Way' and provided with a tooth l rack, an adjusting-nut mounted on the gut-supporting member over said annular scat with its screw-threads in engagement with the rack-teeth of the sightpost, and having a series of detenta-notches in the end adjacent said annular seat, a collar mounted ony the sight-supporting member at the opposite end of said adjusting-nut to hold the same in place, and an annular spring of 'llatwise curved or arched configuration rel'ceived in said socket and provided with a detent projection guided in the slot extended from the socket and adapted to engage the p ,notches ot the adjusting-sleeve, said spring in,a

exerting its tensionto hold the adjustingsleeve against its holding-collar, and en age the detent projection with the notches `o the adjusting-sleeve, substantially as and for thev .purpose specified.

. a toothed rack iitting and projecting through the slotted Way thereof, an internallythreaded adjusting nut or sleeve j ournaled on the stem in engagement with said rack and having a series of detent-notches at the end adjacent the socketof the sight-sup orting member, a nut or collar screwed on t e stern to secure the adjustin -sleeve thereon and an annular liatwise or ent spring received in the said socket and provided with a detent projection guided in said radial slot and adapted to engage the detent-notches of the adjusting-sleeve, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

14. The combination of the sight-supporting member provided with a tubular stem having'a slottedway and an annular seat or socket at the base of the stem and a radial slot inconnection with the socket, a sightpost guided in the tubular stem and provided with a toothed rack fitting and projecting through said slotted Way, an lnternallythreaded adjusting nut or sleeve journaled on the stern. in engagement With said rack and having a boss entering said socket pro- :vided with a series of detent-notches, a nut or collar screwed on the stern to secure the adjusting-sleeve thereon, and an elastic ring of fiatwise curved or bent configuration received in the socket and provided with a detent projection guided in said radial slot and adapted yto engage the detent-notches of the sleeve to lock the sleeve stationary, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

4 JAMES WINDRIDGE.

Witnesses:

GORDON S. GooDRIoH, MARY A. MORAN. 

